Redskins promote McVay, hire special teams coach

By JOSEPH WHITE , Associated Press

Jan. 15, 20145:09 PM ET

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins promoted Sean McVay to offensive coordinator Wednesday, a move expected after Jay Gruden was hired last week as head coach, then addressed their woeful special teams units by adding Ben Kotwica from the New York Jets as special teams coordinator.

McVay has worked previously with Gruden and was one of the assistants retained after coach Mike Shanahan was fired earlier this month. McVay, 27, has spent four seasons with the Redskins, the last three as tight ends coach.

McVay began his NFL coaching career in 2008 as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he served on the same staff as Gruden. McVay was also the tight ends coach for the UFL's Florida Tuskers in 2009 when Gruden was the team's offensive coordinator.

McVay, who replaces Kyle Shanahan, will offer some continuity for an offense centered around quarterback Robert Griffin III. Unlike Kyle Shanahan, McVay will not call the plays; Gruden will assume that role.

Kotwica spent the last seven seasons with the Jets, working mostly with special teams. A linebacker at West Point in the 1990s, he served the U.S. Army in Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina and South Korea before joining the NFL. He rose to the position of special teams coordinator with the Jets this season.

With the Redskins, he inherits some of the worst special teams units in recent NFL history. Washington ranked among the worst in the league in several categories, and special teams coordinator Keith Burns was dismissed along with the Shanahans.

In another move, the Redskins hired Brian Baker as outside linebackers coach. Baker held the same role this season with the Cleveland Browns, and the Redskins will be his eighth team entering his 19th year as an NFL assistant.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins promoted Sean McVay to offensive coordinator Wednesday, a move expected after Jay Gruden was hired last week as head coach, then addressed their woeful special teams units by adding Ben Kotwica from the New York Jets as special teams coordinator.